New to Blu: May 6-12

Apologies for last week’s column, in which I jumped the gun on several key releases, which don’t go on sale until May 6. They include:

“Mr. Turner features a rich, detailed, lived-in 1080p transfer. Though the digital photography leaves it looking mildly flat and sterile, there’s enough in the way of gorgeously raw and earthy textures to allow the image to shine.”

“It’s, predictably, pristinely clean showcasing some hi-def detail and there are really no flaws, whatsoever, with the rendering.”

“The film has a subtle but highly effective sound design that constantly surrounds the viewer with the hustle and bustle of every day life in early Victorian England. As a result the rear speakers regularly burst into life.”

“The Imitation Game was shot on 35mm film using Arricam equipment and gets a stunning, reference-quality transfer to Blu-ray.

“How good does this movie look? So good I was surprised to discover it actually wasn’t shot digitally.”

“The picture is highly detailed, black levels and shadow detail are excellent, and an appropriate level of grain presents the viewer with a very pleasing, film-like appearance.

“Colours, although somewhat muted by design, are consistent and accurate throughout.”

“The accompanying DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is a strong mix, limited only – as you would expect – by the restrained material on offer.

“Dialogue is given keen presentation across the frontal array, with a subtle score undercutting the piece and giving it both quiet pause and some emotional heft when necessary, but never intruding on the proceedings.”

“A wonderfully energetic and imaginative film version of a beloved Broadway musical, Into the Woods looks and sounds simply splendid on this Blu-ray release.”

“The English language DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track on the disc is also very good.

“Dialogue stays clean and perfectly audible throughout and there are no issues at all with even a trace of hiss or distortion.”

“Dumb and Dumber To comes with a great 1080p HD transfer presented in 1.85:1 aspect ratio.

“This is a sleek and rich looking video presentation from start to finish. Twenty years does wonders in the form of technology and video.”

Also new are Dying of the Light, Star Wars – The Clone Wars: The Lost Missionsand Penguins of Madagascar (“a breathtaking digital production with an incredibly diverse colour palette and consistently healthy and razor-sharp details”).